Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
If you are arguing that the Flames need another year or two to become contenders what do you see happening for 2017-18 or 2018-19 that will be better than 2016-17?
I will concede that Tkachuk will be better than Chaisson/Pribyl/Ferland/Bouma/Shinkaruk in the top-9
After that will Wotherspoon/Anderssen/Kylington be better than Wideman /Engelland? I understand they will be cheaper by surely you don't really think that they won't be ready for 2015-16 but will 2 of them be 15+ minute NHL d-men in 2016-17? It will be a long reach to find a replacement at #4 and 5 on the trade market or as UFA who will fit in the Flames cap structure.
Will Jankowski be better than Stajan?
Will Gillies and ? be better than Elliott and Johnson?
Will Porier and Shinkaruk be better than Chaisson/Vey? ... by a significant amount?
Or is it all based on Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett and Hamilton really needing an extra year to come into their own? Why next year and not this year?
All I can see on the Flames being another year away is that Tkachuk is the critical piece that the Flames need or that Gillies will be that much better than Elliott/Johnson.
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I think the reason people are optimistic about the flames being contenders comes from a few places. first and foremost is the young core, typically players come into their own and peak offensively at around 24-28, they also usually develop a better 200 ft game. Our entire core is below the age of 23, excluding Brodie. So that gives the Flames a big upside over the next 7 or so years.
Secondly, we have decent talent in the pipeline and what looks to be a pretty good scouting team, so it isn't unlikely to expect a few surprise success stories in our prospect pool.
Finally, the Flames do appear to have structured themselves similarly to teams that have had a lot of success. We're starting to look like a pretty balanced team, we have an above average defense (hard to argue with guys like Gio, Brodie, Hamilton and pretty good prospects coming up), our goaltending situation looks to be taken care of for the short term, with some promising prospects to hopefully ensure that position remains solid. Our forwards are looking pretty promising as well, really good depth down the middle with our major weakness being at the RW.
You don't need an all-star team to be contenders, a talented core of a few elite players, above average goaltending and depth surrounding that is basically what it takes, that and some luck in the playoffs.